Play-Learn-Grow-Repeat

From Monday Mom – Neetika:
I’ve written before about how fast time goes by when you are a parent. We all know this. But last week at the doctor, I was simply stunned at how far along Haley has come. The doctor said that next month I could start giving Haley cow’s milk and begin the process of weaning, if I want. Weaning. From Breastfeeding. How did this happen? It seems like it was last week, I was stressing about how to “achieve a proper latch” and how much milk she was getting. There were days when I couldn’t wait until this moment. Now the idea of giving up nursing makes me feel incredibly bittersweet.

There are many reasons I enjoy breastfeeding. First of all, the bonding aspect is really nice. A baby’s instinct is that his mother will provide him with milk from her breast. It’s so primal, so natural. As Haley has grown and started to understand the concept of me as her caretaker, I can feel that feeding from the breast means something to her as much as it does to me. Breastfeeding is also incredibly convenient. You’re always ready to go, no extra equipment needed! You don’t just nurse for nutrition either. It’s been a lifesaver for getting Haley to sleep, soothing her when she’s teething, and calming her when she’s fussy. There have been times Haley has clunked her head and wailed, and the only fix was a little nursing. Minutes later, she’s ready to play!

Of course there are things I won’t miss. Feeling tied down because I can’t leave her for long stretches, for starters. And there’s the biting, which as you can imagine or may know yourself, is not very pleasant. In some sense, I’m getting my body back to myself—so small thing.

Weaning is a part of Haley getting older, and that’s the hardest thing about it. I don’t know when that magical day will be, but I know I won’t be ready for it.

From Friday Mom – Jaime:
My dad’s birthday was last Friday. (I apologize for not doing the birthday shout out in last week’s post, dad.) It was the day before Andrew’s kid party and he could talk about little else. Friday night he was an absolute crazy man. His rendition of singing happy birthday to my dad went on for…forever. When I got back on the phone my mom told me that this was normal birthday craziness and that my sister and I did the same thing before our parties. Actually, she told me we were completely unbearable and no one would want to be around us – but we’d return to normal shortly after the party.

Turns out, she was absolutely right.

He was in full on cranky kid mode all morning. He refused to take a nap and managed to conk out less than 30 minutes before his party. We woke him up out of a dead sleep to get ready, which prompted a massive temper tantrum about why we were even having a “STUPID” party at that “STUPID” place. (Ummm… you begged for it, kiddo. What do you mean you don’t want it????)

Despite the rockiness leading up to walking through the door, once we got there, the party went well. Everyone – especially Andrew – seemed to have a great time. His friends were really cute coming over thanking me for inviting them. Only one actually did it without parental prompting. (I was duly impressed) Andrew and my dad eat cake the same way – icing only – and I’m still not sure which one of them consumed more of it.

Afterwards, in the midst of a total sugar high, Andrew tore into all of his presents. His was totally impressed with all the new loot. His friends got him lots of artsy stuff, which is great, and we’ve been playing his new games all week.

Just as predicted, Andrew settled back into being himself after all the presents were open and the wrapping paper was thrown away. He curled up in my lap and thanked me for his party.

Because I’m a glutton for punishment, I took him out to see Beauty and the Beast later that night. He remembered to say please and thank you, held my hand through most of the movie (unless he was using those hands to shove Skittles into his mouth) and reminded me where I parked my car so we wouldn’t get lost in the parking lot…again… (LONG story – don’t ask)

I’m glad I had my mom’s warning that what we were experiencing pre-party was totally normal and, more importantly, temporary. I’m also glad that we’re a year off from having this kind of experience again 🙂

Have a great weekend everyone. And thanks (again) to my parents who are watching Andrew while hubby and I are away in New Orleans.

Oh…and for all you baseball fans…yes, it may be time for the Super Bowl, but pitchers and catchers report very soon. Can’t wait for the official start of Spring!

From Wednesday Mom – Janelle:
Jack and I attended an open house for incoming Kindergarten students.  As we walked up the school’s sidewalk, dozens of “Jack memories” flashed before me.  Memories like bringing him home from the hospital, watching him walk for the first time, getting his first boo boo, saying I love you and those exhausting days/nights trying to figure out his sleeping routine.  How is it possible that Jack will be five years old and beginning Kindergarten soon? As cliche as it sounds, time flies by when you’re having fun.

Prospective students and their parents gathered in the auditorium.  We all said the Pledge of Allegiance (which Jack shouted proudly) and were educated on the Kindergarten syllabus, awards and many other informational facts.  Selected students from the school sang their school song, and we watched a slide show of the Kindergarten class accomplishments.  I was happy to see Jack very interested in what the teachers and students had to say.  I know he is super excited about Kindergarten next year because he often says he is ready for “big school.”

We were able to tour several of the classrooms, along with the library, cafeteria and gymnasium.  Quickly, my own memories of Kindergarten came to mind.  Unfortunately, my Kindergarten classroom no longer exists.  I would have loved to show Jack the classroom I attended.  Our tour was fun.  Both Jack and I saw what every room looked like and also how to find our way around the school.  It was obvious the amount of reading, writing and hands on projects the students are working on, since they were plastered all over the walls, desks and hallways.

Jack loved the desks and the “tree house” like reading nook.  One of Jack’s concerns was getting lost.  I reminded him he had no problem finding his way around preschool and the same would go for Kindergarten.  He thought the school was “totally awesome” and wanted to start tomorrow.  From a momma’s perspective, I can’t tell you how happy I was to hear those words come out of his mouth.  I’m grateful for everything he has learned at home and through preschool.  I can only hope he excels in his educational goals over the next fifteen years and beyond.